Hey friends π
Hope you've been well - welcome back to another edition of Low-Hanging Fruit!
I've gone for something shorter and sharper this week - you can use the poll at the bottom of the email to let me know if you prefer it or not.
I wanted to also share with you a new idea I've put out into the world - BookMates.
In a nutshell - it's a subscription box service where I'll deliver a non-fiction book to your doorstep and add you to the BookMates community. The idea is that it makes reading as convenient as possible, and gives you a group of people who are reading alongside you as well for added accountability and insights.
If you want to invest in yourself with a group of like-minded folks, you can find more info and join the waitlist below:
Cheers,
Brock
This Week's Thought
Recently I've had to own up to the fact that my screen time is a problem.
"Problem" is subjective, but I accepted that it was holding me back from what I wanted my days to look like.
Enter Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.
If you are like me and think that your screen time is a bit excessive then I could not recommend this book enough.
One great exercise from the book which I'm currently implementing is a 31 day tech detox.
It's very straightforward - you remove all apps (except for ones which you know don't get you addicted and serve a clear purpose, like maps), and commit to keeping your phone like that just for 31 days (I even got rid of my browser to avoid mindless trawling of the internet).
"But I need Instagram/Messenger/etc. to communicate" - I had the same protest, until Newport pointed out that I can just use the browser version of those apps on my laptop for those purposes. The simple friction of needing to pull out my laptop means that I get distracted by my messages way less frequently than I used to, and I don't have an easy escape from any slightly boring moment I find myself in.
As I write this I'm more than half way through my 31 days, and I have loved it. I feel detached from the grip of my phone now. I can't see myself re-installing any of the apps that I removed.
I find myself with more moments of boredom, which I see as a positive. It's in these moments that my thoughts can run wherever they want and process everything they need to. I feel calmer, and I have a greater number of ideas that spring to mind seemingly out of nowhere.
How You Can Apply It
- Go through the apps on your phone and remove every app, with the exception of those which serve a clear purpose and have essentially no downside (e.g. maps, calendar, etc.). Be as ruthless as you can bring yourself to be.
- Add a calendar event/reminder for 31 days into the future - this is when you can celebrate your (potential) newfound relationship with your phone.
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